The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-04-28

receive the sung OF lne AoIncoc nhoSN hNof
we had disturbed, but marched back across
the creek aud took our place in line Of bat
lie. We have since learned that Pemberton
was AT Edwards Station with a large portion
of his army, and that we were within two
miles of the station, and much nearer TO his
army than TO our own. il is hardly neces-
sary 10 say that we were ignorant of these
facts or perhaps we should have stopped at
the creek and concluded that we had de-
veloped enough Of the enemy's position.
While we were making the charge up the
hill one of my men discovered house back
in the timber well filled with salt meat.
This fact was passed down the line and TO
the Major commanding, who at once gave
the proper order tomarch us past that house.
As we passed il each man took two pieces OF
the meat-hams, shoulders and sides-and
carried them back 10 the reserve. This ex-
pedition was great success The Tations
we secured were wanted, and the demonstra-
fion helped Go deceive Gen. PembertOn as 10
Gen Grants roal intention. We made this
movement on the day that Mcpherson
FOUGHT THE BATTLE OF RAYMOND,
some 15 or 20 miles away. ] cite this incl
dent 10 show my readers how well the
men took care OF the ration question when
allowed 10 do so.
While they were thus collecting rations
there was no struggling OF piliering, but
they were al all times ready for duty. What
they required for food that the country pro-
duccd. either animal or vegetable, they took,
and when they got it TO camp divided 1t
hair Ii R~nG lav "A
such things 10 be done that Gen. Grant was
enabled to make that campaign, and he to
become the most renowned soldier of any
age This certainly was the most brilliant
of all his campaigns. IL the lesson of sub
sisiing an army on the cnemys country had
been learned earlier in the war, the rebellion
would have been much sooner suppressed,
and many gallant lives and millions OF
money saved A false notion OF the rights
of rebels cost many men, much suffering and
mountains Of treasure.
By many the question has been asked how
ii was that SO much provision was gathered
together and prepared as ii ready for us.
When they understand the situation OF
things in Mississippi at that time II will be
clear TO them. I'm that part of the State
there were large plantations, farmed by from
300 to 1000 slaves; the owners had made
provision for feeding them. This was on
hand when Gen. Grant landed. To prevent
it from falling into our hands il was hid away
in places supposed TO be safe. BY some means
the Yanks" found almost all of il, and
took what they wanted of the abundance, for
which we were then and still are
THANKFUL TO OUR REBEL FRIENDS"
IL had taken us from the Isl of May TO the
12th to go from Port Gibson to Fourteen
Mile Creek. The distance was not so great,
but the counter-maTching, changing posi-
fion, guard duty, etc, made it hard service.
No matter how long or how short the march,
how deep The mud or dust, or how hard the
rain, nor what time of the day or night we
reached our destination, the line of battle
had 10 be formed. Zach regiment and bat
terry was placed in position so that the di-
vision was ready for instant resistance, no
matter from what direction the attack came.
None were permitted TO sleep until all this
was done. Sometimes this occupied the
greater part of the night il was almost
true that the army moved in line of battle.
Up 90 this time Gen. Grant had not only
deceived Gems. Pemberton and Johnston,
hut ne had deceived his own army. Itwas un-
derstOod, among the officers of the line at
least, that as soon an Gen. sherman came mp
with bis corps we would cross the Big Black
River and
MARCH DIRECT or vICKsBURG,
and that all our marching was TO get possess
sion of the ferries so that we could cross
when the time came. While we knew that
Gen. Mcpherson was out on the Jackson
road and threatening that city, we believed
it was only diversion, and that ours was
the real move of the army. How badly we
were mistaken!
About noon of the 10Th Of May our di-
vision was marched silently and rapidly
from our position behind Fourteen Mile
Creek, In the direction of Raymond, al which
place Gen. Mcpherson had that day fought
battle and won victory. Our march was
at first along by-road leading 10 the main
Jackson road When the change of position
was ordered the strictest silence was en-
Joined. Orders were given in the lowest
tone OF voice. A regiment or a battery was
taken out of the line al q time and hurried
10 the rear. When this was out of the way
another was in like manner moved until all
were on the march. Our regiment was the
last Of the division TO leave the line, perhaps
the last of the army. SO sldllfully was the
Withdrawal executed that we were gone far
on our way to Raymond before Gen Penn
bertOn discovered our absence. j have no
doubt he thought il a retreat as he was Jess
than four miles away with a portion OF his
army.
well remember the peculiar sensations I
felt when the order came TO move The
suppressed voices In which orders were
given, the air Of mystery that seemed 10 sur
round the action OF those in command, made
ms feel that
SOME GREAT EVENT
was about 10 happen which would settle the
fate Of the campaign, and that we would
play an important part in the struggle The
men, m suppressed voices, were discussing
what IL al meant We who had been TO the
front had the brush with the enemy. and
heard the drums beating jumped 10 the
conclusion that ii meant a great battle.
All were mistaken. il was a movement TO
concentrate the army and get our corps away
from the enemy without fight or pursuit.
as Gen. Grant did not want either al that
time. He had made up his mind TO dispose
OF Joseph L. Johnston and the city Of Jack
son before he should more intimately cult.
Vate the acquaintance of Gen. Pemberton
and his army. Our little affair al Fourteen
Mile Greek had so alarmed the rebel com
mander that he at once commenced hurry
ing his army south 10 concentrate il nj Ed
wards Station, where he was with part of
H. 10 meet our advance in that direction.
While he was doing this Grant was hurry-
ing his army north and east Before he n dis-